Director Des McAnuff. Major successful. Big-time hotshot. So many shows. So many awards. Some version of his “Jersey Boys” is running everywhere but in downtown Baghdad.

And his “Doctor Zhivago,” with Tam Mutu and Kelli Barrett, opens the 21st, Broadway Theatre.

“At 17, a high school musician, I auditioned for the ‘Hair’ ensemble. Then I took lessons at Toronto’s drama school. I wrote music and thought maybe I’d write my own show, and it got produced.

“Years ago I was asked about joining a team to make ‘Zhivago’ into a musical. Coincidentally, having spent time in the Soviet Union long before changes were made, I personally witnessed its political history. Russian directors had visited me here. Their minister of culture invited me there as a delegate. Gorbachev lifted the wall. Glasnost began. Russia was already close to my heart.

“So I recommended a book writer, and we were on this project three years before a line was written.”

A long, complicated, convoluted story, assorted characters, and with our world familiar with ‘Zhivago,’ was taming this for Broadway not difficult?

“Yes. The novel’s sprawling. The exciting music soars to emotional heights, but musicals are intuitive so we agreed on five main characters whose stories we could collapse. We’re storytellers. The challenge was balancing ballroom scenes, background scenes, epic events — 1917, violent background, Stalin’s death, 60 million killed — with the love story.

“Can’t compare this to any other show. ‘Les Miz’ portrays an obscure event that disappeared into the sands of time. In the tradition of musical theater, ‘Zhivago’ is a truly sweeping epic story.

“I invited Russian friends to see this. It’s been on my mind that I want them to be enthusiastic. They’re over the moon about it.”

Political tidbit

About New Jersey’s Dem Sen. Robert Menendez. Furious Chicagoans ask who’s he think he is that he can outdo their state in terms of corruption allegations. But here’s the 411. Once Menendez coughed, everyone in NJ began positioning himself. Look for their former governor to warm up. Those masses who loved Jim McGreevey are urging him to run.

Middle East gets our $?

Per Middle East specialists: “Lifting sanctions in order for that country [Iran] to now rake in lots more cash? This newly added income is not going to its people, not directed toward improving their lives. As managed by its rulers who hate us, despise what we stand for, pledge death to this country, that newfound income will be funneled direct to the terrorists . . . what is the matter with DC?”

One tough ball

VVVIP’s, desperate to prove they’re VVVIP, have offered $500,000. Nope. No chair. Not a stool. Museum curators even pay a sum to sit somewhere near Utah. This year celebrates China, and everyone our side of the Yangtze snapped up tables.

Hint for 2016: Start January. Call Vogue. Order a subscription. Send Anna your sunglasses. Offer your firstborn. But if you make the list and drop out for whatever reason, you blow it. Lose your place. You are off the list. Your only choice is to go sulk at Burger King.